Dalpe back in lineup after scratch
Zac Dalpe has been scratched from a game before, so when he wasn’t in the lineup Tuesday at Carolina, he didn’t take it personally.
The former Ohio State standout knows it’s probably going to happen again. Just not Friday night. Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said Thursday that Dalpe would be on the fourth line Friday against the New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena.
Markus Hannikainen will take a spot in the press box Friday, but Tortorella tried to stress the decision wasn’t made because of the turnover the rookie winger made in the final moments of Tuesday’s game at Carolina.
Hannikainen’s clearing gaffe was picked off in the Blue Jackets’ zone by Jeff Skinner allowing him to charge in on goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and score the tying goal and force overtime.
Sonny Milano’s breakaway in the final minute of overtime lifted the Blue Jackets to a 2-1 win.
“He’s out (Friday) but it’s not because of that play, but that I think Dalpe has had a really good camp. There are going to be some interchangeable parts,” Tortorella said of Hannikainen.
“Dalpe should play and I’m not going to ice him for a whole bunch of games. We’ll see how it goes.”
Dalpe played in the first two games of the season before Josh Anderson returned from his preseason holdout.
Hannikainen, Dalpe and Jordan Schroeder will be battling for playing time as the season goes on.
“You can only control how hard you work and I know I have put in the work,” Dalpe said. “Hopefully I’ll get rewarded for it ... The workouts aren’t easy when you’re sitting out and trying to mimic a game. I have been scratched a lot in my career and I know how to handle it.
“I don’t know what the magic potion is, but I spoke with Torts the other day and part of it is practicing well.”
Slap shots
Schroeder was back at practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday and was sent to Cleveland of the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint. Schroeder, acquired in a deal with Minnesota during the offseason, apparently suffered a concussion in a preseason game at St. Louis last month. ... Backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo was missing from practice Thursday because of a trip to the dentist. Tortorella said he would be available Friday night. ... Winger Cam Atkinson was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s workout due to a personal issue.